Milwaukee Bucks fall short to Charlotte Hornets

MILWAUKEE — Kemba Walker scored 25 points and Cody Zeller added a season-high 23 in the Charlotte Hornets' 98-95 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

The Hornets were without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and didn't play Courtney Lee, the guard acquired in a three-way trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Lee dressed for the game and is expected to replace Kidd-Gilchrist, out for the season after reinjuring his right shoulder. Coach Steve Clifford made the decision based on Lee's lack of quality practice time with his new team.

With Charlotte up 96-95 with 18.3 seconds left, the Hornets' Nicolas Batum tried to feed the ball to Marvin Williams, who was being closely defended by Michael Carter-Williams. The ball bounced off Williams and rolled out of bounds. An officials' review confirmed the ball went to Milwaukee. Khris Middleton missed an open look at the free-throw line and Walker grabbed the rebound. He was fouled and sank the two free throws for the game's final points. Middleton missed a 25-footer as time expired.

Williams finished with 15 points, and Jeremy Lamb added 14 to help the Hornets win their fourth straight.

Jabari Parker scored a season-high 23 points for Milwaukee. Middleton had 20, and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 18.